Becoming a bit disenchanted with your "party?" Don't forget your cheerleader role
They don't even want the cheerleader anymore! So I'm told any way! But thank God they changed the voting date. That was a no brainer. Now we just have to know if the board is ultimately the decision maker on who actually gets to cover emergency medical services. Or is it the voters?
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
They don't even want the cheerleader anymore! So I'm told any way! But thank God they changed the voting date. That was a no brainer. Now we just have to know if the board is ultimately the decision maker on who actually gets to cover emergency medical services. Or is it the voters?
The Board has always had the final say, regardless of how it's done. They decide whether to vote...who is eligible...they set the dates (as conveniently as possible obviously)...they decide whether to allow absentees...they determine the language of the referendum question. You'll remember that the last administration had planned on single-handedly ramming it through, via that slick tactic known as the permissive referendum...until the well-timed opposition made it easy for Tommasone to justify switching gears...not because of that opposition, but because the turncoats in the Conservative Party who support this tax and likely made it a condition of the endorsement they promptly snatched away in the September Primary...which they intended to do from the moment FDG entered the race...that's why they pushed for the permissive referendum originally scheduled before that Primary...until Tommasone was finally made to see the writing on the wall and conveniently agreed to postpone it until after their intentions were confirmed at the polls.
If the Board wants to use the permissive referendum, it should be used to privatize ems...it would be a lot easier to justify what would amount to a fiscally responsible decision. For once they should use it to protect taxpayers as opposed to using it as a means of imposing unpopular taxes and policies against the will of taxpayers.
The issue isn't "when" the vote takes place. It is "why" are we forming a taxing district? I don't think a taxing district is necessary to fund a non-profit. I believe the REMS issue should be taken up year by year. I still haven't heard a single council person state WHY they want to create a taxing district. By making this an argument of WHEN, they are pushing the debate past the crux of the issue, which is WHY.
We the taxpayer need to focus on the why and not concede to creating a taxing district and putting it up for referendum.
Many people spoke passionately (either for or against) REMS at the 6/09/10 TB mt'g. Putting the merits of the arguments aside and merely looking at the possible outcomes, it is in the best interest of the residents to NOT form a special tax district. As a matter of fact, the the town must have ambulance service which will either be REMS or Mohawk. Removing the disincentive of REMS debt, and the incentive of Mohawk's alledged $70,000/yr. to the town puts both services on a level playing field. What does it financially take to sustain each service, and which service is preferable. What service allows for the greatest financial flexibility vs. financial committment by the town and its residents?
First........the fiancial is a no brainer. The residents of rotterdam can't take one more tax increase. Especially for an entity that is in debt. That already gets $120K from the taxpayers AND has applied for a tax paid grant for over $200K !!! It is fiscally irresponsible for a government to impose such a tax on the people.
Second.....Mohawk offers a much more superior service than rems AND is fiscally sound. There would be NO charge to the taxpayers at all!!
No brainer here folks!
And remember....rotterdam will eventually be hit with higher taxes with this new central dispatch crap! Rotterdam's county taxes are huge and this present bunch of idiots just sold them yet another piece of the farm!!!!!!!!!!! Just watch your county taxes rise!! There is NEVER a savings with the county dems....NEVER!! And this will be no different!
So as long as rotterdam can continue to avoid an unnecessary taxing district....they should. There should be no vote....PERIOD!!! Just put it out to bid....end of story!!
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
Many people spoke passionately (either for or against) REMS at the 6/09/10 TB mt'g. Putting the merits of the arguments aside and merely looking at the possible outcomes, it is in the best interest of the residents to NOT form a special tax district. As a matter of fact, the the town must have ambulance service which will either be REMS or Mohawk. Removing the disincentive of REMS debt, and the incentive of Mohawk's alledged $70,000/yr. to the town puts both services on a level playing field. What does it financially take to sustain each service, and which service is preferable. What service allows for the greatest financial flexibility vs. financial committment by the town and its residents?
This is the whole problem Avon...how can you possibly put legitimate arguments aside when you are weighing options? And just because no one wants to acknowledge those options doesn't mean there is no choice. The two services are not on a level playing field. We can't just ignore REMS' very real debt, their dropped call record, their longstanding financial woes, the pending replacement of two very expensive ambulances, their lack of ALS... anymore than we can ignore the revenues and other advantages offered by Mohawk...simply to create the false image of a level playing field. These facts need to be included in this discussion...and the fact that REMS is not-for-profit, the argument most commonly used in support of funding REMS with tax dollars, is not a legitimate argument, IMO.
Financial flexibility and committment are irrelevant...there is no financial committment on the part of the town, except to deposit the checks from Mohawk as per their contract, along with their property tax checks, and to determine how those revenues will be spent on other things.
I asked at the meeting last night, and I'll ask again: Why are we insisting on paying for something that has been offered not only at no cost, but at a profit to the town?
And further, if Mohawk Ambulance is awarded the contract to serve the residents of Rotterdam, I assume that the contract will include many service level agreements (SLAs) pertaining to staffing, response times, etc. If these SLAs are not satisfied, the contract should provide for penalties to be imposed and/or a severability clause that allows for the town to put the contract out for bid.
If the tax district is created (and live in perpetuity) it will be a dedicated revenue stream for REMS. It is not clear if there will be contractual terms addressing SLAs. And, if REMS does not deliver how does the town hold them accountable? Any penalties will come from tax payer revenues. If the organization becomes defunct, does the referendum provide for the funding to be redirected to another provider or that the tax district will be dissolved?
Has anyone in the town government sat down to develop a proposal defining the products and services to be delivered? Or is this a rush to judgement by those in government who are courting the support of a segment of the electorate?
Has anyone in the town government sat down to develop a proposal defining the products and services to be delivered?
The last administration skirted the issue all together because they wanted rems. They were just going to ram-rod it through!!
And this administration wouldn't have a clue how to develop one!!!!
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
Will ALS (Advanced Life Support) continue to be provided by the Paramedics on the Rotterdam Police Department or will REMS be expected to hire and/or train their EMTs to become Paramedics? If the ALS functions are assigned to REMS, will the Paramedics at the RPD lose the compensation paid for providing these services?
If Mohawk Ambulance is selected as the service provider, is there money to be saved by not having RPD Paramedics provide ALS?
If these SLAs are not satisfied, the contract should provide for penalties to be imposed and/or a severability clause that allows for the town to put the contract out for bid.
By then, REMS will be dissolved and all those people will have lost their jobs. At that point, Mohawk will be the only game in town.
Don't you people get it?! Mohawk will be the ONLY option!
By then, REMS will be dissolved and all those people will have lost their jobs. At that point, Mohawk will be the only game in town.
Don't you people get it?! Mohawk will be the ONLY option!
Not necessarily. If there are other companies that see a financial gain to establishing service in this county, competition would determine the provider. Right now, I see no need to pay for a service unless it's being used, and this proposal gives a substantial boost to Rotterdams revenues, while eliminating a poorly managed, debt laden tax burden on the backs of the tax payers.
Quoted from MobileTerminal: Not necessarily. If there are other companies that see a financial gain to establishing service in this county, competition would determine the provider
I agree w/ MT. If a vacuum exists (i.e., a need for goods or services to be provided), the private sector will fill that void.
If REMS is serious about serving the community and improving their financial affairs, is there anything to stop them from becoming a for-profit company other than it being easier to feed off the public teat? These folks have the know-how and the interest. Become a competitor to Mohawk and expand coverage area to other communities.
Quoted from trustbutverify: By then, REMS will be dissolved and all those people will have lost their jobs. At that point, Mohawk will be the only game in town.
TBV,
I recall that the proposal that Mohawk presented to the town included purchasing the current REMS facility, vehicles, and equipment and hiring all of the REMS paid EMTs. Is this not the case?
By then, REMS will be dissolved and all those people will have lost their jobs. At that point, Mohawk will be the only game in town.
Don't you people get it?! Mohawk will be the ONLY option!
By then REMS could be in a position to bid on a contract.
Assuming a contract with a private provider would be for a certain term with various conditions and the option of renewal, REMS could attempt in the meantime to use the existing resources, equipment and supplies they have to start operating as a BUSINESS...yes...FOR PROFIT...the only way they can become self-sustaining.
For REMS to succeed in such a venture, they must first accept the fact that they are providing a service for which there is a charge to the USER, and payment for that service must be pursued. Their failure to do this over the years is one of the reasons they have never been able to achieve and maintain financial stability...and one that applies to both patient and insurance payments.
If REMS were to accomplish this transformation, they would no longer find themselves in need of tax dollars...they could simply compete with Mohawk for the calls, even if ALS continued to be provided by Rotterdam Paramedics, who would be the first response ALS provider whether it was REMS or Mohawk...another one of the arrangements offered in the Mohawk proposal...and Mohawk would continue to offer ALS whenever needed, just as they always have.
Either way, REMS personnel would not lose their jobs. They could stay with REMS and make a go of it... or go to work for Mohawk, yet another offer in the Mohawk proposal...addressing the emotional attachments to REMS personnel, another basis of support for the ems tax district.
And while the fate of REMS is being determined, Mohawk could be providing complete ems services 24/7 at no cost to taxpayers.
TBV...you are hopelessly in love with this tax idea...what can we do to help you get over it?
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